Kirklees Council has agreed an ambitious plan to send zero waste to landfill by 2030 – but in the short term may have to extend an existing contract which has seen the local authority’s recycling rates slump.

Councillors this week approved the Kirklees Resources and Waste Strategy for 2021-2030 which aims to deliver the council’s vision of a clean, green, sustainable future for Kirklees with zero waste to landfill.

The council’s ambition is to be at the forefront of the national drive towards tackling climate change, eliminating waste and empowering residents to live more sustainably.

However, the council is still locked into an out-dated 25-year contract with French-owned Suez. Though described as “visionary” when it was signed in 1998, the deal has seen Kirklees slip way behind other local authorities when it comes to recycling.

The contract is due to expire in 2023 and Kirklees are in negotiations over a new 10 or 15-year deal.

READ MORE: When doorstep glass collections are likely to return in Kirklees

With an end to the current deal in sight, however, it has emerged that Suez has made an offer to secure a two-year extension.

Details have not been made public but it is thought the council would want residents to be able to recycle more if they were to extend the deal. This could mean plastic pots, tubs and trays could be added to green bins.

Local people are keen to recycle more and a public consultation showed the demand for a return of doorstep glass collections.

The council retreated from pressing ahead with glass collections when it emerged some homes would struggle to find space for an extra bin. Instead a trial is set to take place.

A report on a proposed extension to the existing contract will be discussed by the council’s Cabinet later this month.

Cabinet members Naheed Mather and Will Simpson

Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet member for the environment, said: “I’m delighted that the Kirklees Resources and Waste Strategy has been approved and we can begin to implement these plans.

“We’re a council with real ambition and this strategy will help bring all people of Kirklees on board so we can work towards the national drive of tackling climate change together.

“This strategy is underpinned by our ambition to achieve zero waste to landfill. We will only achieve this if we work together to reduce, reuse and recycle more.

“Education is one of the keys to the success of this strategy, which is why we plan to work with schools, colleges, and universities as well as residents and businesses to minimise waste.”

For more information on the waste strategy visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/wastestrategy